Here is the truth: I am not perfect or good. I am a messed up girl. I make mistakes. Sometimes I am selfish. Sometimes I lie. Sometimes I cheat. Sometimes I think I am better than my friends. Sometimes I make judgments on other people. Sometimes I just don’t like people. 

Here is the truth: I will always fall short of society’s standards, my friends/family’s standards, the standards of myself, and God’s standards.

Here is the good news: Knowing all of that ^, I also know that at the same time I am so loved and accepted. My righteousness if found in Christ. Any “good” you see in me, that’s Christ. Even though I fall short of the glory of God, I am still justified through grace. What is grace? Grace- an undeserved gift.

Yes, I’m messed up. Just like everyone else.

Here is a quote by one of my favorite authors, Tim Keller, that puts it into better words:

“The gospel of justifying faith means that while Christians are, in themselves still sinful and sinning, yet in Christ, in God’s sight, they are accepted and righteous. So we can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope — at the very same time. This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin.”

Romans 3:23-24 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Last night and this morning I attended a conference called “Living Proof Live.” Beth Moore (if you don’t know who she is look her up— an amazing woman) came to KC and I received the opportunity to listen to her speak.

There is too much to say about this experience. So here are the best things about it.

• There were over 98,000 women (from over 30 denominations)— 98,000 voices were lifted up at the same time in one place to glorify and praise a magnificent God—how is this not truly amazing?
• Beth Moore is a powerful speaker and a beautiful woman of God
• I invited my mom to this conference, and she came (to emphasize— that’s a pretty big deal for me)
• There was an unavoidable awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence.
• God is good.

I hope all is going well with you! I would like to update you on what has been going on in my life recently. Right now, I am finishing my first year at Missouri State, and it has been a wonderful experience! Something I have been learning about this year is God’s faithfulness to me no matter where I find myself in life.

This past year I have gotten involved with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). This is an international Christian ministry whose mission is to launch spiritual movements by sending people all over the world to win and build Christ-centered relationships. Recently, I have been growing more aware of how God wants me to serve Him and live my life glorifying Him. God has sparked a desire in me to share the Gospel and His love to people, and He has given me a more open heart for the nations. Cru has provided me an opportunity to work with VisionTrust for a part of my summer in the Dominican Republic. VisionTrust is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to developing orphaned and neglected children into mature Christians equipped to live productive lives in their culture. They do this through spiritual discipleship, educational development, and health advancements. I feel that God has called me to invest my time with these impoverished children and share His word.

There are a few ways you can support and be a partner with me before and during this trip. First and foremost, prayer is a critical need for this trip. I will also need to raise financial support to go to the Dominican Republic. In order to make the trip possible I need to raise $2000 by the end of April, which goes toward transportation, housing, and food.

Would you prayerfully consider supporting me in this by giving a gift of $50, $100, $200, or another amount that you feel led to give? Any amount that you feel led to give is the right amount and is greatly appreciated! All donations are tax-deductible and checks should be made out to “VisionTrust” with “Buckner DR051202” on the memo line. [For a mailing address, please email me at grace93.buckner@yahoo.com]

God is going to do incredible things this summer. I would love the opportunity to meet or talk with you more about this passion the Lord has given me and explain more about Campus Crusade and my ministry. Thank you for taking the time to consider partnering with me.

“Gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations…” Matthew 24:14

Sincerely,

Charissa Grace Buckner

Coming home from the Philippines is always difficult, and this time it is much worse than usual. Reverse culture-shock always hits me hard the first week or so in the States, but it is completely different this time. My awareness has grown for the every-day luxuries I have: a shower, a toilet, a wardrobe of clothes, a comfy bed, and air conditioning.

 Usually when I visit the Philippines, I stay in the city and live in Manila with my family there. This time, however, I sailed to an island to stay in a city called Iloilo. I was meeting my grandmother’s family for the first time—and it was a major surprise to see that they are all living somewhat in poverty. To get a better idea of their condition—the middle-class in the Philippines would be considered lower-class here in the States. What amazed me most was that even though my family there was very poor, their love and joy was very abundant. This trip was probably the most humbling visit—and it breaks my heart that I’m not there now. I know I have been blessed, greatly, here in the U.S. but there is so much I take for grant it.

 I realized during my visit there, that that is also a home for me, (“The home is where the heart is.”) and I know that I will be living there some day if not very soon. I plan to teach English at an elementary school in Iloilo next summer, because I absolutely fell in love with the children there. I am already saving up my money for next year, and I am anticipating my return.

Translation: My grandmother played such a major role in my life. She taught me how to count, read, write, and most importantly, pray. I sang this song a year ago at her funeral, and I want to sing it again in dedication to her. Grandnanay, I’m rejoicing that you are with the Lord now. We love you and miss you very much.

(Devin did all the instrumentals and background vocals…he rocks.)

(in the Philippines)

I have been finding myself in conversations throughout my day with non-believers about spirituality and God. At the moment, I am reading a book called I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. It is a very apologetic book but I believe that if I am to love the Lord with all my heart and soul…loving Him with my mind is just as important. I have learned over the past couple weeks that when talking to non-believers, saying “You have to have faith,” is not enough. Think about it. It is easy for Christians to understand that faith, alone, is enough to believe in an amazing God. Why? Because we are Christians! And I think sometimes we forget that we are trying to convince people to believe and change their lives for someone that they cannot even see! After all, you cannot ask someone to see if they are blind. Jesus healed the blind man so that he could see, and we must do the same. Every one is broken, and needs healing. Sure, we can reference the Bible…but can a Muslim not reference the Qur’an when trying to convert me? Why should I believe anything that their spiritual book says when it is subjective to their faith?

On a college campus, people want objective reasoning and logic as to why they should believe in God. (Don’t get me wrong, only the Holy Spirit can change the hearts of people and reasoning and logic can’t. But I see this as planting the seed in their lives.) I am taking two religion classes this semester and broadening my mind about what other people believe and their perspectives. How can you convince someone that what you believe is the “truth” when you haven’t taken the time to understand what they believe is the “truth”? Through this, God has given me an understanding heart; however I understand that tolerance and patience are two different things. I do not tolerate or compromise what I believe to speak to people. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have” (1 Peter 3:15). So reading this book, and looking at Christianity objectively, has given me more ways to defend what I believe and talk to people (not only by faith) with reasoning and logic. After all, faith completes the gap between knowledge and the truth.

I love these circumstances and conversations because through it all I get to bring glory to God. It’s not to make me look better or put me on a pedestal, but to demonstrate to my peers how amazing and wonderful God is. It’s sad because a main argument I have been getting is that “there is no proof God exists” when, actually, there is proof everywhere! Not only through His creation. Not only through His Word.  Not only through historical and scientific evidence—but, also, through changed lives! God is great. Yep yep yep.

That God will give me the right words to say to you.

That my message will be clear to you.

That you will have an understanding heart.

That you will have a forgiving heart.

That God will continue working in your life after this.

That you will let God do that.

That I will have peace about this chapter of my life.